SCHOOL OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

ENTHALPY CHANGES

TO : MR. L. CHIMPHEPO

DEMONSTRATOR : JESTON THINDWA

FROM : MCDUFF CHIKUMBUTSO

REG. NUMBER : BSC/BIO/01/22

COURSE CODE : CHE211

COURSE TITLE : THERMODYNAMICS AND CHEMICAL KINETICS

EXPERIMENT DATE : 16TH NOVEMBER,2023

DUE DATE : 23RD NOVEMBER, 2023

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE

Abstract 3

Introduction 3-4

Methodology and results 4-12

Discussion 12-13

Conclusion 13

References 14

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 ABSTRACT

Enthalpy, a thermodynamic property combines internal energy with the product of pressure
and volume. It has a lot of examples but in this study only two were considered namely: heat
of neutralization and heat of solution. Enthalpy finds itself practical in many fields for
example in heat transfer and chemical reactions. The aforementioned helps us predict and
analyze useful energy transfer during chemical and physical changes under constant pressure
conditions (Atkins & de Paula;2009). Enthalpy is hard to find directly because it is a state
function meaning its value merely depends on the current state rather than the path taken to
attain the current state. One requires to attain the required merit about the thermodynamic
history of the system to be able to calculate the enthalpy change because temperature and
volume tends to change during either a chemical or physical process. To ensure these
conditions were met, two thermally insulated calorimeters were used to record the
temperature change and through a series of steps and formula , enthalpy change was realized
by the end of the study.

INTRODUCTION

Enthalpy , a basic component of thermodynamics is a measure of total energy content of a

system. It is ,mathematically defined as the sum of internal energy (U) and the product of
pressure (P) and volume (V) expressed by the equation H=U+PV. Enthalpy is typically
calculated in Joules (J); when Δ H is negative ,the reaction is exothermic meaning that heat is
lost to the surrounding while when Δ H is positive , the reaction is endothermic meaning that
heat is absorbed from the surrounding (Ansermet & Brechet ;2019). The study of enthalpy
formerly started in the 19th century specifically in the mid-1800s . During this era scientists
Benoit Paul Emile Clapeyron and Rudolf Clausius tried to study thermodynamics hence
contributing to the development of the concept of enthalpy. Enthalpy isn’t just conducted in
labs for fun; its practical applications cannot be overlooked notably in heating and cooling
systems. For instance, its essential in understanding and optimizing heating, ventilation and
air-conditioning systems. This creates a well-off indoor condition. Furthermore, some
culinary processes are brought about by enthalpy that is helps us to determine how much
energy is needed to boil water and cook food. In this experiment two calorimeters were used

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to calculate the temperature change (ΔT ) and conclusively Δ H was calculated by
multiplying Δ T in ΔT ° C by mass of organic compound by specific heat in j/g explicitly
Δ H =mass of tℎe compound × ΔT ° C × specific heat . This experiment was conducted in four
parts namely; Part 1 , Part 2, Part 3 and lastly Part 4.

PART 1: THE WATER EQUIVALENT FOR THE CALORIMETER

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

Figure 1

In this setup two calorimeters were prepared and the temperature change of the thermometers
were compared by simultaneously immersing them in the calorimeters with water at room
temperature for one minute. This step was done to ensure that the equipment in use was in
good condition that is the calorimeter and the thermometers were in good working order.
After that the apparatus were arranged as in figure 1 to warm 50ml deionized distilled water.
The 50ml first deionized water was heated at exactly 40°C and was added in the first
calorimeter and the other 50ml which was at room temperature was added in the second
calorimeter. After the 50ml water was added in both calorimeters the lids with thermometers
in place were put onto the calorimeters. Then the temperature readings(±0.01°C) were
recorded on both thermometers at 1-minute intervals for exactly 3 minutes. After 3 minutes
the warmer water was quickly added to the other calorimeter with water at room temperature.
Then the temperature was constantly checked for 3 minutes and after 3 minutes the final
temperature of the mixture was also recorded.

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RESULTS

Chemical compound Temperature (°C)

Colder water 25
Warmer water 40
Mixture of water (cold + warm) 32
Table 1

The change in enthalpy in both warmer and colder water was calculated by using the formula:

Δ H =mass of water × ΔT ° C × specific heat

Heat lost by warm water : 50g×(40°C-32°C)×4.2J/g °C=50g×8°C×4.2J/g °C=1680J

Heat gained by cool water : 50g×(32-25)°C×4.2J/g °C=50g×7°C×4.2J/g °C=1470J

Heat lost to calorimeter : 1680J-1470J= 210J

Water equivalent of this calorimeter : (210J/7°C)= 30J/°C.

PART 2: THE HEAT OF NEUTRALIZATION OF HCL(aq) AND NAOH(aq)

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

This reaction was a neutralization reaction whereby hydrochloric acid reacted with sodium
hydroxide to produce salt and water according to the equation :

H+ (aq) + Cl- (aq) + Na+ (aq) + OH (aq)  Na+ (aq) + Cl- (aq) + H2O (l)

In this trial, 50ml of standardized 1.000M HCL was pipetted in one calorimeter while an
equivalent volume of standardized 1.000M NaOH was pipetted in the other calorimeter and
the lids with thermometers intact were placed onto the top of each thermometer. After closing
the calorimeters, the temperature readings (±0.1°C) were recorded for 3 minutes at 1-minute
intervals. At that point the NaOH was poured into the other calorimeter with HCL in it. Then
the calorimeter was immediately closed and with the thermometer it was continuously stirred
while constantly checking the temperature reading at 1-minute intervals also for 3 full
minutes.

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RESULTS

TEMPERATURE(°C)
CHEMICAL COMPOUND T0 T1 T2 T3
HCL 25 26.5 26.5 26.5
NaOH 25 26 26 26
NaOH + HCL 26.3 29.5 30 30
Table 2

The heat of neutralization per mole of water produced was found using a trail of the formulae
and steps below:

(a) Amount of heat evolved was calculated first:

q= m × cg× ΔT , where m is the mass , cg is the specific heat capacity and ΔT is the
change in temperature of solution.
50 ml
n(HCL)= × 1.00M
1000 ml
=0.05mol
Mass of HCL= number of moles(n) × Molar mass (Mr)
= 0.05 mol × 36.46g/mol
=1.823g
50 ml
n (NaOH) =
1000 ml
=0.05 mol
Mass of NaOH = number of moles(n) × Molar mass (Mr)
=0.05mol × 40g/mol
=2g
 q= m × cg× ΔT

=(2g+1.823g)×4.03J/ °C× (30-26.3) °C

=3.823g×4.03J/ °C×3.7°C

=57J

= 0.057KJ

(b) Then change in enthalpy was calculated next : Δ H =−q = 57J

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  Δ H =57 J

(c) Molar enthalpy of neutralization per mole of water produced:

Since the stochiometric ratio is 1: 1 , the number of moles for water = 0.05 mol

Δ H neutralization = Δ H /n ¿H2O(l))

57 J
¿−
0.05 mol

= -1140 J mol-1

=-1.14KJmol-1

PART 3: THE HEAT OF NEUTRALIZATION OF CH3COOH (aq) AND NaOH (aq)

MATREIALS AND METHODOLOGY

This reaction also involved neutralization reaction between acetic acid and sodium hydroxide
solution to yield salt and water according to the equation:

CH3COOH (aq) + NaOH (aq) CH3COONa (aq) + H2O (l)

At this time, 50ml of standardized 1.000M CH3COOH was pipetted in one calorimeter while
an equivalent volume of standardized 1.000M NaOH was pipetted in the other calorimeter
and the lids with thermometers intact were placed onto the top of each thermometer. After
closing the calorimeters, the temperature readings (±0.1°C) were recorded for 3 minutes at 1-
minute intervals. At that point the NaOH was poured into the other calorimeter with
CH3COOH in it. Then the calorimeter was immediately closed and with the thermometer it
was continuously stirred while constantly checking the temperature reading at 1-minute
intervals also for 3 full minutes.

RESULTS

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 TEMPERATURE(°C)
CHEMICAL COMPOUND T0 T1 T2 T3
CH3COOH 25 26 26 26
NaOH 25 26 26 26
NaOH + CH3COOH 26 28 27.5 28.1
Table 3

The heat of neutralization per mole of water produced was found using a trail of the formula
and steps below:

(a) Amount of heat evolved was calculated first:

q= m × cg× ΔT , where m is the mass , cg is the specific heat capacity and ΔT is the
change in temperature of solution.
50 ml
n(CH3COOH)= × 1.00M
1000 ml
=0.05mol
Mass of CH3COOH = number of moles(n) × Molar mass (Mr)
= 0.05 mol × 60.052g/mol
=3g
50 ml
n (NaOH) =
1000 ml
=0.05mol
Mass of NaOH = number of moles(n) × Molar mass (Mr)
=0.05mol × 40g/mol
=2g
 q= m × cg× ΔT

=(2g+3g)×4.03J/ °C× (28.1-26) °C

=5g×4.03J/ °C×2.1°C

=42.3J

= 0.0423KJ

(b) Then change in enthalpy was calculated next : Δ H =−q = -42.3J

 Δ H =− 42.3 J

(c) Molar enthalpy of neutralization per mole of water produced:

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 Δ H neutralization = Δ H /n ¿H2O(l))

42.3 J
¿−
1 mol

= -42.3J mol-1

=-0.0423KJmol-1.

PART 4: THE HEAT OF SOLUTION OF NaOH (s)

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

This trial involved the dissociation of NaOH in water according the equation:

NaOH(s) + H2O(l) Na+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

Initially 50ml distilled water was measured using the measuring cylinder and then added to
an empty calorimeter. After that the calorimeter was closed and the temperature change of the
water was recorded at 1-minute intervals for 3 minutes. Later , an electronic balance was used
to weigh 2.00g (±0.01g) of sodium hydroxide pellets which were put in a calorimeter
containing 50ml distilled water at room temperature and then the calorimeter was
immediately sealed with the lid and the initial temperature was recorded while stirring the
mixture. Simultaneously , the temperature readings were recorded and observed at 30 second
intervals for 5 minutes.

RESULTS

CHEMICAL TEMPERATURE (°C)

COMPOUND
T0 T1 T2 T3

Distilled water 25 25 25 25
T0 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T10
Distilled water 26 27 29 31 32 32.5 33 33 33 33 33
+ NaOH
Table 4

Total mass of the solution was calculated:

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 Total mass =m (H2O) + m (NaOH)

1grams = 1ml

m (H2O) = 50ml = 50g

m (NaOH) = 2g

Total mass = 50g + 2g

= 52g

Given the mass, specific heat and change in temperature; the amount of energy released was
calculated by the formulae: Q= m × cg× ΔT

Q = 52g ×3.95J/g.℃ × (33 ºC – 26 ºC)

Q= 52g×3.95J/ g ℃ ×7℃

 Q=1437.8 J

After that the number of moles of the solute was calculated as follows:

( mass given)
Number of moles (n) of NaOH(s)=
Molar mass

2g
=
40 g/mol

= 0.05 mol

Lastly the amount of heat released per mol of solute:

Q
Δ H soln¿
n

1437.8 J
 Δ H soln¿
0.05 mol

 Δ H soln¿ 28,756 J =28.8KJ

But since Δ H = - Q ; Δ H soln becomes -28,756J or -28.8KJ .

PART 5: THE HEAT OF REACTION OF HCL(aq) AND NaOH (s)

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

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In the last procedure, 2.00 g (±0.01 g) mass of sodium hydroxide pellets was also weighed on
the electronic balance and then 55ml of 1.000M HCL was measured next and was poured in a
100ml graduated measuring cylinder. After that the HCL was diluted by adding water into the
100ml measuring cylinder containing 55ml HCL up to the 100ml mark and then the mixture
(water + HCL) was continuously stirred to make the solution even. After that the solution
was later transferred into an empty calorimeter and the lid was shut with the thermometer in
place consequently the temperature readings were recorded at 1-minute intervals for 3 full
minutes. After the 3 minutes were over, the sodium hydroxide pellets were added into the
calorimeter and the lid with the thermometer was immediately replaced. The initial
temperature was recorded and then the temperature was also continuously recorded at 30
second intervals for 5 minutes while swirling the calorimeter in order to sped up the reaction.

RESULTS

CHEMICAL TEMPERATURE (°C)

COMPOUND
T0 T1 T2 T3

Distilled water 25 26 26 26
Distilled water 25 25 25 25
+ HCL
T0 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T10
HCL + NaOH 25 30 32 34 35 35 35 35 35 35 35
Table 5

Stoichiometric equation: HCl (aq) + NaOH (s) → NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)

100 ml
n(HCl) = × 1.00M =0.100mol
1000 ml

m(HCl)= 0.1mol × (35.45 + 1.01) g/mol =3.65g

Mass of NaOH =2g (given)

Total mass of the mixture = 2g +3.65g

= 5.65g

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Then heat released by the reaction : Q= m × cg× ΔT

Q = 5.65g × (35 ºC – 25ºC) × 4.2J/g ºC

=5.65g × 4.2J/g ºC× 10ºC

Q =237.3J

Since the stochiometric ratio is 1: 1 , the number of moles for water formed = 0.05 mol
−Q
ΔH=
n

−237.3 J
ΔH =
0.05 mol

= -4746J/mol

 Δ H = -4.746KJ.mol-1.

DISCUSSION

The sign on the value of enthalpy helps us determine if the reaction either absorbed energy or
lost energy to the surrounding (Ansermet & Brechet ;2019). When Δ H is negative ,the
reaction is exothermic meaning that heat is lost to the surrounding while when Δ H is positive
, the reaction is endothermic meaning that heat is absorbed from the surrounding. This notion
helped us evaluate the values we found in these experiments and conclude that all of these
reactions were exothermic. Ultimately, in these experiments the values we found were
significantly lower than the theoretical values for example, the molar enthalpy of
neutralization for the reaction of sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid is typically -
57KJmol-1 but we ended up finding -1.14KJmol-1 as the heat of neutralization which
technically doesn’t make any sense. Technically this trend in the results was caused by a
number of errors highlighted below; inability to record accurate temperatures due to the
incorrect alignment of the observer’s eye with the thermometer, also some of the water was
lost through evaporation while warming it on the hotplate. The calorimeter also possessed a
poor design as it failed to offer sufficient thermal insulation, predominantly attributed to its
imperfect sealing. Overall, these errors can be substantially minimized by taking enough time

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to record and observe temperature changes on the thermometer and also ensure that the tools
in use are all well calibrated and in good working condition.

CONCLUSION

To put it briefly, these series of experiments helped us gain a little expertise in the field of
thermodynamics mainly enthalpy changes although a lot of errors were encountered. These
experiments helped us to understand and quantify energy changes in chemical reactions.
Therefore, to attain accurate results it was seen that the thermometer, calorimeter and other
equipment in use tends to affect the overall results of the experiment. Correspondingly, the
timing when recording temperature is of great use in enthalpy change experiments.

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REFERENCES
Ansermet J.P. & Brechet S.D. (2019). Principles of Thermodynamics. New York: Cambridge

University Press.

Frantz, H.W., and Malm, L.E. (1968). Energy, reaction rates, and chemical equilibrium. In
Essential of Chemistry in the Laboratory, second edition, San Francisco, USA, W. H,
Freeman and Company, pp 171 - 173.
Hill, G.C., Holman, J.S. (1989). Laboratory investigations. In Chemistry in Context
laboratory Manual and Study Guide, second edition, Surrey, UK, Thomas Nelson and
Sons Ltd., pp 32 - 33.
Hill G.C., Holman, J.S. (1989). Energy changes and bonding. In Chemistry in Context, 3rd
Edition, pp 165-172.
University of Malawi. (2019). Che 211 and 221 lab manual. University of Malawi

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